News out of Sanford, North Carolina

Jackson found guilty of murder

Isaac Jackson Jr. has been found guilty of murder in connection with the 2010 shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, according to courthouse sources in Lee County.

The Rant learned Thursday that jurors in the trial against Jackson, which began in April, received orders from the judge to begin deliberations around 11 a.m. Thursday. By 3 p.m., the jury had returned a guilty verdict.

The trial will now begin a second phase as jurors must decide Jackson’s punishment. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty as punishment for the killing of 33-year-old Shamekia Griffin; if jurors oppose that Jackson will face life in prison.

WRAL reported in 2010 that Jackson, of Fayetteville, came to the Mahogony Court home of Griffin, his ex-girlfriend of eight years, and shot her to death as her 15-year-old son pleaded with him not to.

Jackson was defended by Bob Trinkle of Chatham County and Fred Webb of Sanford. Assistant District Attorneys Mike Beam and Matt Craven led the prosecution.

In 2014, the Sanford Herald reported (subscription required) that the case was one of two in Lee County with the longest wait to go to trial.